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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Mental health

Dec 19, 2024 - Reports on trends on maternal health and mortality in Arizona and drivers of poor outcomes such as limited mental health training for providers, mental health workforce shortages, and stigma. Discusses rural-specific challenges in accessing care like transportation, labor and delivery service access, broadband, and low provider reimbursement rates for care.
Source: Tuscon Sentinel
Dec 16, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announcing the approval of an information collection related to the 2022 Second Report and Order and 2023 Report and Order. Changes to amendatory instruction 3, published in the February 15, 2023, final rule, and amendatory instruction 4, published in the January 16, 2024, final rule, are effective April 15, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 15, 2024 - Explores the impacts of behavioral health provider shortages on rural communities in the northwest. Notes that immigrants may face additional challenges finding care due to language barriers and some providers not accepting Medicaid. Describes strategies to increase access to behavioral health providers, including telehealth, increased reimbursement for services, and workforce programs.
Source: Northwest News Network
Dec 9, 2024 - The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking scientific information submissions to inform its review on Medical Care for Adults with Down Syndrome. Includes background information and key questions related to the review. The full research protocol is available for review on the AHRQ website. Submissions are due by January 8, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 9, 2024 - Provides overview of resources available through the Rural Mental Health Resources Hub, created by Mental Health America (MHA). Describes resources including a free mental health screening, educational overviews, and information for communities looking to better serve residents with mental health conditions. Discusses rural disparities in access to mental health treatment and efforts by MHA's South Carolina chapter to expand access through a mobile mental health clinic program.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Dec 6, 2024 - Describes the role physician assistants (PAs) can play in increasing access to mental healthcare, particularly for rural residents. Notes the increase in mental healthcare-trained PAs in the previous decade as well as the more diverse workforce compared to the physician workforce. Free registration may be required to view full article.
Source: Medscape Medical News
Dec 6, 2024 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeking comments on a new SAMHSA Unified Performance Reporting Tool (SUPRT). SUPRT will combine and align the existing client-level performance instrument for the SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and National Outcomes Measures (NOMs) instrument for the SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services, and create a two-component tool that will allow for a self-administered questionnaire and a grantee completion of administrative data. SAMHSA will use the data collected through SUPRT for annual reporting, grantee monitoring, and continuous improvement of its discretionary grant programs. Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 3, 2024 - Reports on new data showing that children in the poorest and most rural Colorado counties are more likely to have a parent or sibling die. Highlights factors likely contributing to this disparity. Discusses challenges with access to therapy and support services for rural children and efforts to overcome those challenges through recruiting rural behavioral healthcare workforce.
Source: The Colorado Sun
Dec 3, 2024 - Highlights the work of 3 rural Michigan community mental health agencies. Discusses challenges related to workforce, stigma, transportation, substance use, and more as well as work to overcome those challenges through outreach and partnering with other community institutions.
Source: Flint Side
Dec 2, 2024 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeking comments on a new information collection related to the SAMHSA 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and Crisis Services Program Evaluation. SAMHSA will use the information collected to conduct an evaluation of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Crisis Services, to ensure individuals in suicidal, mental health and/or substance use crisis can contact 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and are connected to crisis centers providing evidence-based care and are able to receive critical resource referral and linkage. Comments are due by January 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register